Today's other stories in brief
Bryant and James head US basketball squad
BASKETBALL: Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, the NBA's MVP and its leading scorer, headed the 12-man US basketball team named yesterday for the Beijing Olympics.
The premier point guard Chris Paul was also included in the squad, which the US Olympic Committee hopes will reverse a trend of disappointing results for US teams in recent international competitions.
The team features six guards and five forwards, with Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic the only regular centre named in the team.
Besides Bryant and Paul, the other guards are Jason Kidd (Dallas), Michael Redd (Milwaukee), Dwyane Wade (Miami) and Deron Williams (Utah).
Carmelo Anthony (Denver), Carlos Boozer (Utah), Chris Bosh (Toronto) and Tayshaun Prince (Detroit) join James in the forwards.
Heavey loses out to Seator
TENNIS:Dubliners Eoin Heavey, winner of the Irish Close singles and doubles at the weekend, and Tristan Farron-Mahon exited the ITF Futures at Limerick yesterday.
Heavey had sought a Tuesday start but this was not granted and his efforts last week clearly took a toll as he failed to win a game in the opening set.
He took the second 6-3 against his English opponent, Edward Seator (who is ranked 1,083 points higher), but one break in the third set gave Seator victory.
Farron-Mahon put up a fine performance against India's Harsh Mankad. A break in each set gave the Indian a 6-4, 6-4 win.
Bree clocks another Irish record
SWIMMING:Andrew Bree clocked an Irish 200m individual medley record of 2:04.43 at the Nashville Summer Sizzle meet yesterday. The record completed a fine weekend for Bree, who set a 100m breaststroke record.
Barry Murphy's 22.59 for the 50m free was also an Irish best.
Bree believes that although Murphy has not hit the automatic qualification time he should be sent to Beijing along with backstrokers Aisling Cooney and Melanie Nocher.
Bree said: "I would love to see the Olympic Council of Ireland send myself and Murphy along with Aisling Cooney and Melanie Nocher.
"They have all improved a lot and been very consistent. We are all getting faster and the potential for the girls and Murphy is fantastic.
"I know they haven't quite made the time yet but I'm convinced that it would benefit everyone. And looking ahead to London in four years' time, they would benefit a great deal from the experience."
Gatlin launches ban challenge
ATHLETICS:Olympic 100m champion Justin Gatlin began another challenge yesterday against a doping ban in the hope of competing in this week's US trials for the Beijing Games.
A federal court in Gatlin's hometown of Pensacola, Florida, held a hearing on a motion for a preliminary injunction that would allow the 26-year-old to run in the trials in Eugene, Oregon, later this week.
